Vallejo Website: http://www.acrylicosvallejo.com/
Experience: I’ve been using these paints for about 3 months now. I’ve been painting for a total of 1.5 years with LONG hiatuses in between but by damned I shall find more motivation somehow.
This tutorial will cover the basic aspects of Vallejo Model and Game colours.
Vallejo is a model acrylic brand located in Spain. The average bottle of Vallejo is about 3 bucks, slightly more expensive than citadel paints but is well worth it due to its longevity and high pigment quality.
Let’s discuss some positives and negatives of the two Vallejo brands.
Model Colour
Positives:
1.) The majority of paints have EXCELLENT coverage and the paints are able to cover over a black undercoat in 1-2 coats when thinned decently.
2.) Since the paints are stored in bottle droppers they’ll stay fresh for years to come. I bought my first bottles of Vallejo a few months ago and they’re still as fresh as the day I purchased them.
3.) Variety! Vallejo paints come in all shades, pigments, tones, etc.
4.) Ratios! Since you can use droppers to distribute both paint and thinner you can make different ratios for different purposes (I.e.. 1:1 paint/thinner for basecoats)
5.) Long drying times make blending easier than before.
6.) Light greens, yellows, and bright reds cover amazingly well.
7.) All colors have fairly similiar coverage which makes thinning easy
Negatives
1.) Not as forgiving as citadel paint. For example, be sure to wipe off the majority of the paint and water on a paper towel. If you accidentally overload the brush the pigment will dry on the model funky and give off a nasty whitish glare.
2.) The bottles can get clogged. Nothing a good paper clip can’t fix!
3.) Need to be shaken vigorously. Be sure to shake it 10 seconds right side up and upside down. Due to the pigments fineness the paint tends to separate and will not dry properly unless shaken.
4.) I’m not a fan of the flesh colors. Far too yellowish. I’d stick to citadel for flesh paints.
5.) Some colors dry pretty shiny, especially burnt cadmium red.
Game Colour
Positives:
1.) Nearly identical to GW equivalent.
2.) Great coverage, not as good as model colour.
3.) Easy to blend due to long drying times.
4.) Ratios thanks to dropper bottle.
5.) Stay fresh due to dropper bottle.
Negatives:
1.) Some colours are far too thin. I’d stay away from light greens and yellows from this line.
2.) Light greens, yellows, and bright reds cover horribly.
3.) Flesh tones far too yellowish. Once again stick to GW for these.
4.) Needs to be shaken vigorously.
5.) Not as forgiving as citadel paint. For example, be sure to wipe off the majority of the paint and water on a paper towel. If you accidentally overload the brush the pigment will dry on the model funky and give off a nasty whitish glare.
Most hobby shops that sell Vallejo, also sell a dropper bottle that distributes drops even in size to the paint drops. If your local hobby shop doesn’t have one either buy an empty Vallejo dropper online or get an eye dropper which distributes an equal amount of water as the paint bottle distributes paint.
Here are some ratios.
Model Colour
1:2 Paint/thinner for basecoats
1:3 Paint/thinner for opaque layering
1:4 Paint/thinner for more translucent layering
1:6 Paint/thinner for blending
1:10 Paint/thinner for glazing
1:12 Paint/thinner for inking
Game Colour
2:1 – 1:1 Paint/thinner for basecoats (lighter colors will need less thinning)
1:1 - 1:2 for opaque layering (lighter colors will need less thinning)
1:2 - 1:3 for translucent layering (lighter colors will need less thinning)
1:4-1:5 for blending (lighter colors will need less thinning)
Have not attempted glazing or inking yet. I’ll be sure to add the ratios when I do.
Some important tips:
1.) When used with a wet palette, Vallejos will stay fresh for hours.
2.) Once again be sure to wipe off water and paint on a paper towel. If you accidentally overload the brush and apply it to the miniature it will dry horribly.
3.) Try using additives to your water. A 1:5 mix of future floor wax and water will give your inking and glazing smoother results. Plain water will still work fine.
4.) I suggest putting Vallejo paints on a cardboard surface when you want to use them to drybrush. This absorbs some of the excess moisture.
I truly hope this helps. I wish you much luck with your painting endeavors!
Oh, and feel free to add any more info on vallejos and I'll accumulate them into the tutorial.
STAY AWAY FROM THESE PAINTS!
Originally Posted by EaSTERNVolKs
